S H E W H O F O U N D G R A C E
In this developing series, I employ multimedia canons to visually chronicle my journey to “radical acceptance of death.” Enlisting scientific and academic approaches, I embark on this cathartic endeavor by adopting ideologies from renowned theologians, philosophers, and contemporary artists pursuing healthy dialogues that attempt to shift society’s adverse perception of death.
In this quest, I found peace by discovering that although end of life is inevitable, in actuality multiple components of my body are slowly dying the longer I live! This revelation commenced a healing process that further arouse my intrigue with self-portraiture. Unlike my previous projects, I integrate abstract trends in art to illustrate brazen images of my naked body – often in states of extreme grotesque – that document my physical transition organically produced by the aging process. Working against the male-dominant history of idealized nude portraits of women, these images denounce marginalized dialogues about body shame and death. The pastel color schemes are aimed to ease spectators’ psychological, possibly manifested by their perceptions of “beauty,” as they confront a physique amplified with imperfections. My objective is to defame machismo rejections of middle age female figures and commence dialogues that minimize stigmas pertaining to death.
"...only the young bring anything new. And they don't stay young for long."
-William S. Burroughs